Hansen Agri-PLACEMENT is assisting a private ranch owner in searching for a qualified Ranch Manager for a unique 2,100-acre ranch located in California. This is a long-term opportunity for a mature, trustworthy, hands-on individual who enjoys ranch life, livestock, equipment, land stewardship, road and trail maintenance, and working on a scenic California property. This is not a large commercial cow outfit, but it is a true ranch property that needs the right person to help maintain, improve, and develop it over time.

Position Overview
The Ranch Manager will live on-site and work directly with absentee ownership to manage the day-to-day needs of the ranch. The property includes steep mountainous terrain, rolling hills, forest ground, redwoods, fir trees, trails, ranch roads, fencing, buildings, and limited usable grazing acreage.

Ownership would like to build a small cattle operation of approximately 25–40 head, with the goal of developing a practical, well-managed livestock program. Ideally, this person will have the cattle knowledge to assist with buying cattle, managing herd health, maintaining grazing areas, and potentially helping develop a small boutique beef program over time.

In addition to livestock, this person will be responsible for general ranch upkeep, fire prevention, road and trail maintenance, chainsaw work, equipment operation, fencing, culvert clearing, and assisting with guest, hunting, and recreational use of the property.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and care for a small cattle herd
• Assist ownership with developing a practical cattle program
• Help purchase, manage, finish, and market cattle as the program develops
• Monitor herd health, nutrition, grazing, water, and fencing
• Maintain ranch roads, trails, culverts, and access routes
• Perform fire prevention work, including weed eating, mowing, brush control, chainsaw work, and clearing around structures
• Repair and maintain fences, gates, buildings, and ranch infrastructure
• Operate equipment including dozer, excavator, loader/backhoe, skid steer, mower attachments, and other ranch equipment
• Assist with timber management and tree clearing projects as needed
• Maintain access for ranch use, Airbnb guests, hunting guests, and recreational activities
• Support a small, high-quality hunting program if developed
• Work around ranch guests, family members, contractors, and visitors in a professional manner
• Help care for other animals that may be added over time, such as horses, donkeys, alpacas, barn cats, or similar livestock/guest animals

The ideal candidate will be a solid ranch person who can handle both livestock and property management. This person does not need to come from a huge commercial ranch, but he should understand cattle, equipment, fencing, land care, and day-to-day ranch responsibility.

The right person should be:

• Honest, dependable, and self-motivated
• Mechanically inclined
• Comfortable operating equipment on steep terrain
• Experienced with cattle and general ranch work
• Capable of working independently
• Good with people and able to interact professionally with guests
• Respectful of private property and ownership’s long-term goals
• Interested in building something over time
• Looking for a long-term home and not just a short-term job

This position will require someone who sees the value in the property and wants to take pride in caring for it.

Qualifications

• Cattle and ranch experience required
• Equipment operation experience preferred
• Road, trail, and culvert maintenance experience helpful
• Chainsaw experience and ability to safely perform tree and brush clearing work preferred
• Fencing, building maintenance, and general repair skills needed
• Fire prevention / vegetation management experience helpful
• Ability to operate or learn to operate dozer, excavator, loader, skid steer, and mower attachments
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work with ownership, guests, contractors, and family members
• Hunting, guiding, hospitality, guest ranch, or recreational property experience would be a plus
• Willingness to obtain a California hunting guide license preferred if not already licensed
• Experience with direct beef sales or boutique/branded beef programs would be a plus

Anticipated package may include:

• $75,000–$100,000 base salary DOE
• On-site three-bedroom ranch manager house
• Utilities
• Ranch vehicle
• Possible bonus
• Possible medical assistance

This is an excellent opportunity for the right person or couple who wants to live on and care for a unique Northern California ranch property long term.